New Yggdrasil - First (and second) Impressions

I'm very interested in what you think about the upgrade

Thanks. I'll post feedback basically once I receive it (i.e. immediately out of the box and operating on a cold startup) and then again after it burns in. While I don't really believe in burn in, I will do the same as I did with the analog A Yggy which is to leave it on for a week or so.

Like I stated, this thread is now actually "New Yggdrasil - First, second (and third) Impressions" :)

Gdhal my system is already resolving and natural sounding, Iam using teac 301, transport ah tube modified CD player, maybe the yiggy is overkill  , Gumby might be the right match.iam also using marantz 8005 sacd player...

I've just been notified " Your repair is complete and your product is on its way back to you" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool, looking forward to your impressions.

So my Yggdrasil is back and hooked up in my system.

Let me start with the obvious and easy to check items. The serial number has changed completely (and is now prefixed by a "B"). A single sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper with a sticky note indicates the repair order "verification" and "post repair checklist" (all 11 items marked passed). The tech wrote in the external damage of blemishes area "scratches top". This doesn’t make sense (to me) because not only are/were there no scratches anywhere on the unit when I sent it to Schiit, there are still no scratches on the unit after I received it back. Perhaps he checked with a magnifying glass. In any case, suffice it to say the unit appears exactly the same as when I sent it, and was packaged just like a new item (I sent it back with the original packaging).

As to the less obvious but more important aspect of the sound, I’ve listened for the past two hours from a cold start. Of course I need to listen more, but it does appear as though *something* has changed, but at this early stage I cannot put my finger/ear on precisely what. Nothing necessarily better or worse, but different. The bass seems a bit less "forward" or "emphasized" compared to what I previously remember. Also, the "spacing" between the instruments may have increased ever so slightly. I've also checked that all inputs and LEDs work, the temperature (when warmed) is the same, and the initial power on LED flash sequence is the same as before.

Still checking/listening.....

Quick turnaround.  Again, you need to go through the process.  Let it burn in for a few days and listen to some music until you get more of a handle on the sonic properties of the upgrade.  And don't approach it as if you MUST reach the conclusion that the original may have been more to your liking for whatever reasons.  But give it a chance.  IMO, you really need a month to settle in with a new component.  And, also IMO, solid state digital needs to stay on all the time.  So I bet in 48 hours of constant on, it will sound better to your ears.  Have fun.  Listen to some old music you liked when you were in high school or college.  

My belief they won’t asked $550 fee for upgrade if there is no big improvement for old unit and $100 for new buyer, Gdhal thank you keep on posting...

gdhal,
I had my Yiggdrasil in for repair, replacement of the 50ohm BNC board about 8 months ago and to be checked out.I was getting drop outs on SPDIF and BNC.  I though it odd also my return check list paperwork had the same crap on it. " external damage of blemishes area "scratches top".  Is this standard operating procedure? Mine is mint also not a mark anywhere, came back that way too.
Maybe they protect their ass stating that if they do cause a mark etc. ?Not cool if you ask me.
I was going to call them on it. Mine will be going in again soon enough for the upgrades. Holding off a bit because it sounds so damn good as is.

bacobits1

Let's have a good hi def pic posted of the inside on a free image hosting site. And  gdhal should do the same so we can see the difference,

Cheers George

Let’s have a good hi def pic posted of the inside on a free image hosting site.

George, I’m reluctant to do that. Are you meaning to try and detect the difference between the analog A and B boards, assuming it can be detected by eye?

I though it odd also my return check list paperwork had the same crap on it. " external damage of blemishes area "scratches top".  Is this standard operating procedure?

@bacobits1 

Now that is interesting. Given our experiences are very much the same, perhaps the answer to your question is yes. I'm inclined not to pursue it though. 

George, I’m reluctant to do that. Are you meaning to try and detect the difference between the analog A and B boards, assuming it can be detected by eye?

For the cost of $550usd, it should be clearly seen, at least most of it.

Actually, we have the before, all we need is the after, if someone can do it.
Before mods:   http://www.schiit.com/public/upload/general/yggy-pcb-1920.jpg

Cheers George

@georgehifi 

I've been in communication with Jason Stoddard regarding the analog B photo(s). His reply: "I will eventually get Analog B photos done we have a ton of things more pressing right now, though."

Analog B has been powered on continuously for 72 hours now. I note the external temperature reads 94 degrees F, up by as many as 4 degrees from analog A. While my "senses" and "gut feel" tell me this is *not* a problem per se, nevertheless I thought it worthwhile to ask. I have emailed Schiit 24 hours ago and have not read back. Just emailed again....

Sit back and enjoy the music.

@kalali

Trust me, I’m enjoying the music. :)

Nevertheless, I like to be as thorough as possible with any comparison (in this case analog A to analog B) attempt.

As to the temperature, I’ve posted my findings on the appropriate head-fi thread and it appears my findings are confirmed.

EDIT:

Something else Yggdrasil owners may find interesting. I note there has been a revision to the user manual. Schiit no longer indicates they "recommend" leaving the unit on 24/7, but instead indicates there is no harm in doing so.

But using AT&T GLASS optical link (especially with indexing fluid) receiver and transmission as Wadia used to do as an very expensive extra, is better than proper 75ohm spidf coax with proper 75ohm BNC connections, as RCA "are not" 75ohm.

@georgehifi 

Please excuse the blast-from-the-past in that I've decided to unearth a post of yours in this thread from December last year.

Curious if you can provide a link (I checked) to a reputable place/site that sells the type of cable you are speaking/writing of and in addition, any third-party test data that attests to glass with indexing fluid being best. And "best" means what, less jitter, faster transfer rate, something else?

Also, in your opinion how much should 6 feet of said optical cable cost and given that it is glass, do you have an opinion as to its fragility?

As always, thanks in advance :)

It was a while ago with the Wadia Transport and dac that had the optional AT&T receiver and transmitter with ST to ST connectors (like BNC)
similar to these with toslink conenctors
  https://www.ebay.com/itm/DH-Labs-Silver-Sonic-Glass-Master-Toslink-1-5-meter-Glass-Optical-Cable/361...

Then I also put a smear of indexing gel on both ends for perfect coupling to the receiver and transmitter. I'm sure same can be done with Toslink plastic ones as well.
http://i-fiberoptics.com/tool-detail.php?id=515&cat=epoxies

Once all this was done, I swear it was better than the spdif 75ohm coax connection.

Cheers George

It appears some objective measurement data is available. Succinctly speaking, it appears as though the upgrade from analog A to B is meaningful and worthwhile.

Admittedly, the interpretation of this information is a bit over-my-head. Therefore, I’ll invite the resident technical experts to kindly provide feedback. Thank you.

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-yggdrasil-v2-upgrade-technical-measure...

For the cost of $550usd, it should be clearly seen, at least most of it.

@georgehifi

Right up your alley, George.

The link includes a pic of the upgraded board.

@gdhal  Hal, Thanks for sharing the link and bringing it to our attention.

Do you have a feel for the performance of your Yggy with the B analog board, now that you have had some more time with it? Thank you.

...Thanks for sharing the link and bringing it to our attention. Do you have a feel for the performance of your Yggy with the B analog board, now that you have had some more time with it?....

You’re welcome, David. In answer to your question, I do!

My feedback has to a large extent been echoed in what I’ve read elsewhere by others who have experienced the A, and have since upgraded to B.

The bass has certainly changed. This is likely the most noticeable and obvious of any change.

The bass now (analog B) is not as emphasized as it was previously (analog A). I’m defining the "bass" here as everything at or below 250 Hz. Now (analog B), it is a bit more articulate, and blended with the rest of the music. Akin to an improved cross-over in a speaker, if you will.

I’ve read numerous posts about a "blacker" background (analog B) whereas before (analog A) it was "grey" in comparison. While I cannot detect whether or not this is true, I definitely cannot state that it isn’t true. Schiit does indicate that the analog upgrade offers "lower noise", and if I had to agree or disagree, I’d agree.

I’m noticing the following items, having (seemingly) nothing to do with the sound of the unit. The analog B Yggy seems to output with a tad bit more gain. I’m using XLR. Nothing scientific here, just that in general (but not always) I’m listening with the volume control about 10 minutes more counter-clockwise. I’m also finding that the unit needs a bit more time - 2 hours now compared to 1 previously - to feel warm, and that the maximum temperature of the casing has increased by as much as 4 degrees F (despite my earlier post indicating there was no temperature change). I’ve read the idle power consumption has increased from 25W to 27W, but cannot confirm or deny that. I’m uncertain what role if anything the temperature is having on the sound quality, but am certain of the increase (as reported by my Dawson DSM101N multi-meter temperature probe and the touch of my hand).

In summary - and I’ll post more as I know/learn more - I can state that I do prefer the analog B, but overall the difference (to A) could be considered subtle. And, if we turn to the question of value, had I spent $550 I cannot say with certainty that I would feel it had been "worth it". But for a new purchaser of the Yggy, having to spend the extra $100 (compared to having bought the A) shouldn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things and could easily be accepted/seen as being "better" or "improved", even if only because "Schiit says so". Like it or not, we all put some faith, trust, etc. in the manufacturers of the products we wind up purchasing, using, embracing, etc.

EDIT:

Worth mentioning for those just joining the thread and wishing to skip over the first few pages.... the analog B hasn't changed the same admirable qualities of the analog A which are: authentic sounding, no fatiguing "digititis", honest treble without being "tinny" or "bright", multi-dimensional placement/location of the instruments, vocals, etc.

FYI:  Review of the Yggdrasil with the new Analog board

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1139-schiit-audio-yggdrasil-digital-to-ana...

@gdhal   Thanks for your update and findings. Much appreciated.

I’ve look long and hard magnified at the A (MkI) and B (MkII) boards and I can see the digital input board is different, and the middle of the dac/output board on each channel after the dacs U1 and U2 has a new opamp U13 and a couple of smd resistors R55 R59 R54? to the left.

A (MkI) http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/yggdrasil-v1-jpg.11969/

B (MKII) http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/yggdrasil-v2-jpg.11970/

BTW are all new and B stock Yggy now sold the new B (MkII) version?

Chewers George

@david_ten 

You're welcome. And thank you for the soundstage review. The majority of the write up is a regurgitation of what has already been said/written regarding the analog A version, however, there is enough opinion (which I agree with) in the comparisons and conclusion category to glean that the reviewer believes the upgrade is clearly worthwhile. 

@georgehifi 

Thanks for your feedback after your dissection of the analog board photos. The answer to your question, as I understand it, is "yes and maybe". Any *new* Yggy shipping as of October 2017 contains the new analog B board. "B" stock Yggy's are rarely available. No surprise there. I have no idea whether a "B stock" item would be analog A or B, but I'd imagine it could be either. The serial number of analog A Yggy's begin with an "A", while analog "B" begins with a "B". So it would be no secret to the buyer of a "B stock" unit.

Amendment to the above the new B version has the new digital input board.
But U13 R55 R59 R54 have been deleted just below U1 and U2 on the new B version, not added.

Cheers George

FYI. Review posted:

http://headphone.guru/schiit-yggdrasil-analog-2-multibit-dac-bit-perfect/

Thank you @david_ten 

It's a glowing review. I find his comment "I have listened to $50,000 DACs that I can’t say sound better" perhaps an exaggeration, but if this is his honest opinion then that's okay too :)

Not specific to the review, I do like his explanation of "Why multibit?". It's in layman's terms yes, but somewhat uniquely explained IMO.

I realize you may be eyeing the reviews for your own edification as well, as you mention your interested in the "B" version of the Yggy. To bad the review made no mention from an A/B comparison perspective.

Being (somewhat of) a headphone guy, I like the Dot Guru site and their reviews, etc. 

I wish the reviewer had also used at least two other headphones (The Ether Cs are closed) with at least one being Open.

And I wish he had used an additional headphone amp - given his preference for tubes, his choice of the Questyle in dual mono balanced was surprising. In my opinion, more of a Like-Like choice. 

Hi @elizabeth 

I wouldn't have suspected you listen to grungy rock music :) 

Seriously though, if you're in the market for a DAC and giving the Yggdrasil consideration, I would recommend it. Particularly if redbook PCM is your sole or primary source. Compared to other DACs I consider it good value (price/quality/performance), but of course there are plenty of other alternatives in the $2400 range. Schiit does allow a 15 day return policy. And while I'm not a big fan of their "support" model, I have had enough dialog with them and positive outcome to give them a thumbs up even in this regard. 

Here are some other sites you might find helpful

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-yggdrasil-impressions-thread.766347/

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/yggdrasil-refined-new-schiit-yggdrasil-analog...

If there is something more specific you would like me to answer, by all means, ask away.

Gdhal in less than 24hrs, I will listen to four denafrips, and yaggy , border patrol, and Metrum onyx....can’t better than this...they will all be in Axpona....2018

@jayctoy 

I know :) I've read your post(s) in David's Denafrips owners thread. I look forward to reading your (and other) impressions, take away, etc.  I've had a look at the exhibitors, http://www.axpona.com/exhibitors.asp and this is obviously a rather worthwhile and comprehensive event. And the price for the three day pass ($50 if bought online) is also very reasonable. I can only extend the proverbial "have a nice time" :)

I hve been thinking about buying a Ygg..
Some comments about this thread.
I had, years back bought a $2,400 DAC, highly praised by both Stereophile and TAS.
I returned it as it sounded no better than my old (bought for $250) Adcom DA700.
Up to now, I still use the Adcom.
But I had a chance to try a Marantz SA10 ($7000) for a few day at home.
The Marantz converrts CD data to DSD and decodes it as DSD.
I used another CD player via Toslink and found with this Marantz I could readily hear a difference, mainly in the treble. which with the Marantz is clean and lacking any digital haze. Grungy Rock music vocals are more distinct
I wish I had a chance to compare the Ygg with the Marantz!
(One could buy two or three Ygg with the cash the Marantz costs.

@elizabeth I own both the Marantz NA-11S1 and the original Yggy.  Marantz's digital reference series equipment is very underrated from my experience.  Too further that thought, I find it interesting that the NA-11S1 still sells new for exactly the same price it did when I bought it 5 years ago, and I don't believe they've updated it hardware-wise, and mine has the same software updates which it receives fairly regularly.  The used prices have remained constant at $2200 for years (just below a new Yggy).  I've had 2 to 3 quality issues with my Marantz, and it currently doesn't seem to have an effective USB input, which I'm not going to bother sending in for a 3rd time at this point (I'm out of warranty I think).  Ironically, my Iggy had issues on all inputs as well (all inputs aside from USB didn't work when it arrived day-1), and also made a round trip for repairs--twice.  I want to be sure to point that out, as I don't consider myself a "fanboy" of either brand at this point, even though I love the sound of both of their "top" DACs.

I replaced the Marantz with the Yggy, and moved the Marantz to my second system, where right now I don't feed it directly via USB (since it's again not working), but rather wireless as a Roon endpoint (which all still works).  It still sounds fantastic.  The Yggy, however, is a little stronger...most notably in the soundstage and "air" and general "big sound."  I always found the Marantz gear to be a little more reserved (I had their now-discontinued reference pre-amp for a while which I felt was very musical as you would want, but a tad "reserved").  I would rate almost all other qualities as equal, aside from soundstage, which I found a tad bigger on the Yggy regularly.

The Yggy definitely takes 300-400 hours to sound it's best, per previous posts on this thread.  Rather than wait in line for an upgrade and then be without it for awhile, I've ordered a new V2 with the new analog output...not looking forward to those weeks of new burn in, but they will certainly be required.  They were required with my last 2 USB board changes alone.

In short, if you like the Marantz sound (which i think anyone who heard it would), you will like the Yggy sound at least as well...but because of the required burn-in you won't hear the best of it in the 2 week review period unfortunately.  Sonically it is a slightly more capable DAC by my 1-person assessment, if you don't care as much about DSD and Airplay/Roon endpoint features that the Marantz can do, which the Yggy obviously cannot.

BTW, I've demo'd a well-reviewed $15K DAC recently (wanting VERY much to love it), and while there were things about it that were better than the Yggy, all else equal, there were some things I liked less (not withstanding the 5x cost).  Since then, I've instead made about $5K of improvements in front of the Yggy, and the Yggy continues to rise to the level of the equipment before and after it.  Most of my equipment is $15-20K pieces, and yet the Yggy is still holding its own amongst gear that good and that expensive (which is not the same thing).  I know others on this forum have similarly researched and expensed systems which also still have the Yggy as one of the least expensive pieces in the chain.  It will take a lot of $ to handily beat it, so far anyway.  How much will be system- and preference-dependent.

I should add, I have not heard the SA-10...I'm only presuming it has a similar DAC/analog stage to the NA-11S1 with the added transport in the same box, and added cost.  I neither assume it to sound better as a stand-alone DAC, nor worse.  That's 100% speculation.

Hi @parsons

I appreciate your candid feedback and comparison information. Thanks.

To your point about the Yggy definitely taking 300-400 hours to sound it’s best, of course, I’ve read this elsewhere and numerous folks share your sentiments in that regard.

Personally, I’ve never been much of a believer in equipment break in. When I first got my Yggy (analog A) and was in the trial 15-day period, I left it on 24/7 thinking - but not really expecting - some magical difference would present itself on day 7, 8 and so on with respect to day 1. In my opinion, there was *some* improvement, however, I would not be able to say/write that I could hear the improvement in a blind test. By contrast, I am able to tell the Yggy from my Oppo in a blind test. I then *intentionally* powered off the Yggy for 24 hours, turned it back on and again attempted the blind test. Same result. I was/am able to hear a difference (with the proviso that appropriate music is playing). But to my ears, the sound was no different after being off for 24 hours.

Further, I’ve performed external temperature readings with a probe. Granted, the external temperature is not the same thing as the internal temperature. But what I’m getting at here is that the external temperature was/is at it highest point after about one and a half hours (now an hour or so longer with analog B) of being powered on, which would lend some credence to the fact that the unit doesn’t need all that much break in.

I take solace in knowing that while I’m listening and the unit continues to warm, the sound only gets better. :)

EDIT:

If there is a difference after 300 hours or so, in my opinion it would be so subtle that elizabeth may not recognize it.... especially when listening to grunge bands :)

Some believe in break in--others don't.  I'm one of the firm believers.  It's cool if others disagree.

When I had the $16K DAC in my system, I listened closely to a number of tunes I know very, very well.  What I noticed was the soundstage tended to "float around" and be a little loose, in spite of being a little larger.  It sounded good, but "off."  Not different--"off."  After another 100 hours, it pulled itself together and much of the things that didn't sound right to me sounded corrected--more cohesive.  I asked the dealer, without indicating why I was asking, if this was a new unit or the previous version (there had been an update).  He said "yeah, current version, brand new...it's been played for a day or two only since we pulled it out of the box."  Then without my saying another word he said "Sorry, it's definitely not broken in either, so please keep it a couple weeks."  

Doesn't prove anything, nor am I trying to sway you.  But while I don't know that you'll hear a completely "magical" change, I do suspect you'll hear a soundstage improvement at some point in weeks 3 or 4, including the soundstage getting bigger.  And I also think powering it on helps, but having it's output section outputting signal is also an important break-in step in my opinion...I think you want it fully doing it's thing.

My further experience:  if you buy tubes from the factory, they change in the first week or so (output, driver, rectifiers--all uses).  If you build new crossovers for speakers, they mellow out and change in sound over the first couple of weeks (often sounding downright bad at first).  If you get a new cart for your turntable, you hear changes as you get through the first 50 albums or so, especially as you cycle back through favorites.  I'd prefer break-in didn't exist (I'm terribly impatient, especially with new, expensive equipment).  But I will never be convinced it doesn't unfortunately.  YMMV, obviously.

John Darko on the Analog 2 (B) Yggdrasil

https://darko.audio/2018/04/dial-m-for-multi-bit-schiits-yggdrasil-analog-2-dac/

@david_ten

Thank you!

One more comment on burn-in, then I'll stop...but I was just reminded of it when I dropped my new SOTM "trifecta" stack into my system last night.

Aside from the soundstage effects you can sometimes hear that I previously mentioned...

One clear side-effect I very often hear when dropping in a factory-new source into a system (like a DAC, streamer, Roon endpoint, etc.)...the resulting PACE gives the impression of just the slightest, but very noticeable, perception of "slowing down" of a song that you know very well.  It needs to be a song that you have listened to for years to really notice it.  Often the tonal qualities, detail, and even soundstage are there as you would hope for, but something about it still doesn't sound "right"...and when you really listen, you can realize that the timing of piano strikes, drum strikes, guitar string plucks, etc...will sometime sound just the slightest bit delayed from what you are used to.  LIke it's just slightly dragging the whole song.

It's a very strange effect, and I cannot explain why I find this to be true.  And it almost always goes away after the first 24 hours of continuous play for me...it's rarely a day 3 or 4 or beyond thing.

I also noticed this same effect with new cross-overs (twice).  I've never heard this with burning in carts for turntables or tubes (although I hear other tonal and soundstage changes there).

Maybe this is a caps thing?

Just wanted to mention that as something else you might try to listen for on a new piece.

Also, my new Yggy arrived yesterday, but I'm not going to set it up for a little bit as I want to get the SOTM gear situated before I make an Yggy comparison between non analog 2 and analog 2.

I will also be sure to do some critical listening right out of the box to see if I hear anything change over the first couple of weeks and beyond and report back.

@parsons +1 Great points.

the resulting PACE gives the impression of just the slightest, but very noticeable, perception of "slowing down" of a song that you know very well..... Often the tonal qualities, detail, and even soundstage are there as you would hope for, but something about it still doesn't sound "right"...will sometime sound just the slightest bit delayed from what you are used to. LIke it's just slightly dragging the whole song.

I find it apparent irrespective of "It needs to be a song that you have listened to for years to really notice it."

parsons - ....the resulting PACE gives the impression of just the slightest, but very noticeable, perception of "slowing down" of a song that you know very well....

I heard (or believe I did) the subtlest of timing difference once in a Rolling Stones song when I first compared my Oppo to Yggy.  That would be the timing between the Oppo vs Yggy, and it was during a vocal passage. At that time the Yggy wasn't broken-in by the standard of days/hours many state is required to sound optimum. My point is I understand what you're referring to regarding perception of timing (slow or fast) which is likely milliseconds and can only be perceived from tunes that your mind is accustomed to hearing many times throughout the years.

It seems reasonable to me that these types of tunes that one is accustomed to hearing for years would be studio recordings. In my case I listen to new (I haven't heard it even once) live recordings, which makes it impossible to detect the type timing anomalies that could result from break-in or DAC to DAC comparison. 

Hi, Hal. Timing is timing. It's obvious when it is off. It's obvious in live performances when one musician is 'off.' Nothing subtle about it.

To @parsons point, timing issues are common during break in, and his post made a relevant and a very good point. I have found the same to be true during component break in.

However, 'timing' is not limited to components being broken in. There are components that (when fully broken in) handle timing better than other components. A live recording or studio recording doesn't change that.

@david_ten 

Is the timing you are speaking of something entirely different than what can be caused by jitter?

Hi Hal. I thought I was being clear in my two previous posts. I'm copying a couple of sections, since you ask (and I don't want to assume, in any way) [repeat, I don't want to assume]. Best, - David.

From Wikipedia: "Timing in music refers to the ability to "keep time" accurately and to synchronise to an ensemble,[1] as well as to expressive timing—subtle adjustment of note or beat duration, or of tempo, for aesthetic effect.

Research in music cognition has shown that time as a subjective structuring of events in music differs from the concept of time in physics.[2] Listeners to music do not perceive rhythm on a continuous scale, but recognise rhythmic categories that function as a reference relative to which the deviations in timing can be appreciated.[3][4] In fact temporal patterns in music combine two different time scales—rhythmic durations such as half and quarter notes on the one hand, and on the other, the continuous timing variations that characterize an expressive musical performance."

From: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-improve-your-rhythm-and-timing/

"Having a reliable sense of rhythm is a hallmark of any good musician and it’s one of the things which can immediately distinguish an amateur from a pro.

HIGHLIGHTING >>>: Our sensitivity to rhythm when listening to music is subtle but powerful, and any inaccuracies quickly give the listener and uneasy sense that things aren’t working quite right.

In music rhythm is widely considered as the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions, whereas “timing” refers to the ability to keep accurately to the regular beat and synchronize with an ensemble. With such a fundamental and broad definition, hopefully you can see why having a strong sense of rhythm isn’t just for the drummers!"

@david_ten

Hi David. As always, I remain grateful for your thoughtful feedback. Given your last response, it would seem to me that the answer to the question I posed 4-22-2018 1:31pm is "yes".

And, as we are essentially speaking of a songs rhythm, I certainly agree with you that one should be able to detect if something is amiss irrespective of it being a song that one has listened to for years, or for the first time.

Then, back to parsons point about burn-in, I remain confident in my assessment that there hasn’t been any change in the Yggy’s "rendition" of a musical passage, where the emphasis of the assessment would be on the rhythmic portion of the piece. This is to say, the Yggy’s rhythmic rendition is "exactly perfect". :)

Ha, I’m eating my words on this one. The new Yggy sounds awesome right out of the box, cold. The pace is back after 24 hours on the SOTM equipment and for fun I plunked in the new Yggy to get it burning in. It easily sounds as good as the old one, but I of course don’t know if I’m hearing the further improvements of the SOTM gear over my UltraRendu/IsoRegen combo (I definitely hear improvements last night on hour 5). Regardless, I don’t think the new/cold Yggy is hurting it any.

I’ll report back if I hear further improvements.

I definitely found myself playing everything a louder levels than before, which I always equate to improved detail, lower noise floors, and improved clarity.

@gdhal   I'd love to hear if you can shoot back to that Stones tune and see if you still hear a pacing difference now that the Yggy has had some more time to run in?  Would be a cool thing to know either way.

@david_ten  I once sold (actually gave away) a Chinese tube amp that I otherwise was quite fond of (other than its noisy/dirty volume pot) because I felt like it never really nailed the pacing (PRAT) I had heard in a number of previous set-ups I'd owned.  The unfortunate part is that I blamed "tubes" since it was my very first tube amp, and I missed about the next 3 years of my heavy listening chasing solid-state-only system upgrades.  Ultimately I tried some better tube amps again and I have personally never looked back (not trying to start a holy war, it's simply my preference now).  It was a significant time for me in this sport for that reason and also the fact that I started watching for PRAT and the emotional impact that can have on my listening.  Once you feel it, you know it when it's missing.

parsons - The new Yggy sounds awesome right out of the box, cold.

+1

parsons - I'd love to hear if you can shoot back to that Stones tune and see if you still hear a pacing difference now that the Yggy has had some more time to run in? Would be a cool thing to know either way.

So too would I. But I can't. I honestly don't remember the exact song, let alone the vocal passage within the song. Sorry.